Weekend Inspiration: Outdoor Living

It is almost April and I am getting more and more tempted to spend time outdoors. As I work towards resurrecting my backyard this lovely space has caught my eye. I like how fresh, green and beautiful it all looks!

 

Enjoy your weekend and keep on smiling........

 

Images: via

My Family Room

We are heading towards a glorious weekend. I saw the first signs this afternoon as the sun rays enveloped my home. I am always mesmerised by the play of shadow and light. Natural light always makes even the most ordinary things look extraordinary. An ordinary day can get better if one stops to admire the simple things in life....don't you think? Almost like recharging your batteries :) Life is messy, complicated and busy to say the least. I think it nice to pause a few minutes everyday to simply enjoy the little things around you!



My Family room this afternoon.....



 

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.





Joining The Aloha Friday Blog Hop At What Jean Likes.

A Pretty Home in Greece

As we slowly inch our way towards summer, I cannot help but dream of the sea. I think of cobalt blue seas, white washed villages, cascading bougainvilleas and I am in heaven. This home in Greece calls out to me. I am drawn to its laid back vibe and the the splash of turquoise and green. It holds a promise of a beautiful summer.

Some of the most beautiful houses in my opinion, are the ones that do not try to hard and do not seem too contrived!!



Beauty can be simple....don't you think??

Images: via

Holi : The Festival of Colors

It is that time of the year again......Holi is here :) When I was younger and living in India, Holi in my family was all about revelry and the onslaught of colors. 



 Holi is the Festival of Colors. The best part about the festival is that you get to smear color on your friends and family:) It is a fun and joyous event. The celebrations last from morning till night. Today it is a lot different and very subdued. Here in the States its hard to re-create that mood. However, I do try and celebrate all the festivals with my children. What I miss the most is my mom's fabulous cooking, the gifts we got from my grandmother and the songs she sang. There is so much more that it is hard to put in words! I miss my family, I miss my friends and I miss those carefree days!  I distinctly remember that I had colored nails for almost a week after Holi :)  I loved playing Holi and I would get rather aggressive with the colors :) 

 





Tomorrow, I plan to cook for my family, smear them with a wee bit of color and keep the traditions alive :)  A very Happy Holi to all those who are celebrating!! Here are a few images from my home as I get ready for Holi.



So what are some of your favorite memories of festivals growing up?

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

My Backyard and Some Tea

Hello there and a Happy Monday to you! I had an incredible weekend as the sun was shining in all its glory. I know we at My Dream Canvas tend to get a wee bit obsessed about the weather. I have said this numerous times before.....living in the Pacific Northwest does that to you.





My backyard is in shambles because of the incessant rain but that did not stop me from heading outdoors. Do join me for tea in my backyard this Monday morning.......



Tea cups in a myriad hues, a delightful biscuit tin from England and a pitcher of flowers and I was all set :)

I had such a hard time resisting the cute and colorful biscuit tins available in almost every shop in the UK! Biscuits of course are what we call "cookies" here in the States :) While the cookies there were tempting, the tins were even better! As for my pitcher, I found it at a local weekend market while driving thought the Cotswold's. The design was exquisite and so very English! It reminded me of a scene from a Jane Austen novel :)
The pitcher has been made in Stoke-On-Trent which is famous for its potters.




I got a little carried away and took lots of pictures and here are a few of them. Here's wishing you a wonderful week ahead. I do hope you have enjoyed your cup of tea at My Dream Canvas :)



There is a week left to enter my birthday Giveaway. There is a $50 dollar gift card up for grabs to either Pottery Barn/ Pier 1 Imports or World Market!

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.





Joining the Weekly Story at Colours Dekor.

Joining Make It Pretty  Monday at The Dedicated House

Joining Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style.

 

The Weekend Beckons.....

Happy Friday! The weekend beckons and I am here to wish you a great one:) I have some deadlines to meet for next week and my house is chaotic to say the least. I had a bout bad of the flu that lasted nearly three weeks. I am on the mend now, but that's the reason why my home has been completely neglected. I plan to remedy that this weekend! I have a full plate..... but I am sure most of you do too :)



Sometimes weekends are not really about relaxing but getting stuff done!

Do you feel like that?



Wherever your weekend takes you, I hope you can sit back and unwind a little. I am sending some flowers your way to make you smile :)
Thank you for the fantastic response to my Giveaway. Please keep them coming :)

Image: My Casa

Gearing Up For Spring

It is officially the first day of Spring. I really did not feel it as it was cold and windy.....however I know its coming :)



Are you getting ready to welcome Spring in your home? I do make a few changes here and there! Its always fun to move things around. What I really need to do is paint my house. While I would love to paint my entire house, I shall have to make do with adding a fresh coat of paint here and there!

Sigh! I wish I had a magic wand that I could wave around and paint my entire home :) Without the heartache and cost that is!!!



The first step to welcome spring......some fresh flowers around the house!

Sharing these lovely words with you today!

Hope you are having a good week! Make sure you sign up for my Giveaway!!!

 

 

Image 1 : Mine, Image 2 : via

My Dream Canvas Goes To London!

Some vacations are so perfect that the vacation hangover lasts for months and years :) Though I have been to London many times before, this trip was really special. I think it was due to the fact that this was much more personal. Having my brother and sister-in-law living there, made all the difference.



I stayed with my college room-mate in London. This only added to the fun. I met up with a few cousins as well.  They humored me as I dragged them around London.  This was a family vacation and I loved the fact that I could show my kids a city as vibrant and fun as London. The history is staggering and it was fun to see that they enjoyed every bit of it.  UK has always had a special significance for me. Having studied English Literature and British History in college, I was delighted to experience it in person.  I feel very comfortable in England.  My Grandfather went to school in the UK so I have endless stories of the time he spent here. He left for England when he was in his teens in the early 1900's.



Hubby and I have always enjoyed London on our previous visits. We saw wonderful plays and loved the restaurants and bars in Covent Garden. I enjoyed walking around the city and soaking in the atmosphere! 



Now, our trips with the kids are very different. However, we still had an amazing time. I felt  proud when I saw that my seven year old enjoyed all the major sights in London. He loved the history and had endless questions. Of course, my four year old daughter was always on the look out for Princesses whenever we vistied castles :)



I am grateful to my friends and family for making this trip special. I truly believe that the gift of travel is a great tradition to pass down to your children!

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.



Joining The Open House Party at No Mnimalist Here

A Rustic Vintage Styled Wedding

This gorgeous Australian wedding from Style Me Pretty takes my breath away! The photography is exquisite with a dream like quality that is mesmerising! The wedding venue is a field decorated with an eclectic array of jars of wildflowers, crocheted picnic rugs, hay bales, hessian, lace bunting and other gorgeous vintage finds.

The Bride and Groom opted for a less traditional day to showcase the simple things that they enjoy. Afternoon picnics in the sun, homemade goodies, country getaways, wildflowers and vintage treasures.......to name a few:)





It sounds and looks absolutely perfect.....don't you think?
 It is amazing to think that wedding venues can be as simple as a pretty field! Spend your wedding day on a special venue, click here to find out more.



I would love to hear your thoughts about this stunning vintage styled wedding?

Love the scrabble tiles :)

What a beautiful sentiment!

Photography by The Robertson and Images via Style Me Pretty.

A Gorgeous Bedroom

I have been a fan of the Marion House Book for a while now. When I saw Emma's bedroom on her blog recently I had to share it with you. Her love for linens and pillows is something I can totally relate to :) Kantha bedspread, Moroccan and Kilim pillows, linen from Uruguay......books and plants.....what's not to love about this gorgeous bedroom!





I hope you enjoyed my Monday morning inspiration?
Have a great week and don't forget to enter my special Giveaway :)

Images : via

Weekend Bliss and A Giveaway

Hi! I am just popping in to wish you a "Very Happy Weekend". I took this picture from the car while driving through the Cotswold area in U.K. It was such a lovely drive!





I am so excited that My Dream Canvas has now over 1000 followers. Thank you to each and every one of you. You make me smile a little more each and every day :) Please do remember to enter my four year anniversary Giveaway! You don't want to miss this one :)





Click here to enter!!!

Image : Anu Varma and subject to copyright!

Bamburgh Castle (A Fairytale Come True)

I  recently wrote an article about a Castle I visited in UK for iDiva.com and thought of sharing it with you!  I warn you that this is a lengthy post :)

I was swept off my feet by the charm and majesty of Bamburgh
Castle in England.  Bamburgh is the
quintessential fairy tale castle. Visiting the castle, I felt as if my
childhood dreams had come alive J I have had the good fortune of
travelling extensively in Europe, so I have seen quite a few castles.  However, this one is my favorite. I am
completely besotted by it J 

An imposing
setting, this castle sits proudly on a rocky plateau high above the
Northumberland coastline.  The vast
expanse of the sea below adds to the drama and beauty of this stunning castle.  The beautiful beach below with soft golden
sands looks heavenly and the nearby quaint lighthouse completes the picture
perfect illusion. The gorgeous architecture, the exquisite location, the rich history, and
the glamorous interiors make Bamburgh enchanting and romantic.  Bamburgh was
the royal seat of the Kings of Northumbria and a family home since 1894. The
castle is still inhabited by the Armstrong family. Bamburgh is one of the most
important Anglo Saxon archaeological sites in the world today!

For the history buff and the
design enthusiast in me, this castle was a dream come true! Design has
evolved over the years. Today the design world has all the modern technology it
needs to create that perfect look. Yet standing in that castle and admiring the
interiors, I was reminded of Tate Linden’s famous quote “Design is an
opportunity to continue telling the story, not just to sum everything up.”

I could
relive the story. I could visualize the bygone eras. Every piece of artifact in
the castle had a story to tell and I was ready to absorb it all!  I believe that well designed interiors should be able to stand the test of time. I really did feel that the
interiors at Bamburgh had a look that appealed to me even in the present day. I have realized
what attracts me to Bamburgh. The secret ingredient is that the interiors have
been furnished so that they are livable. There is a warmth that is
prevalent. Unlike a beautiful sculpture in a museum that needs to be
appreciated from a distance, Bamburgh’s interiors can be experienced from
within.  It is easy to imagine living
there, raising a family there, and entertaining there.  The key lesson here is to not give your
design a museum like quality.  It is easy
to fall into that trap.  The objects in
your home should allow for an interactive experience.  Incorporate pieces that stimulate all the
senses.  Just as a scented candle appeals
to our visual and olfactory sensibilities, the warm caress of a beautiful silk
cushion cover can also augment your experience. 
Incorporate multiple dimensions in your design palette.

For me, good design is suggestive. Even when I read books, I really enjoy stories that make you
envision the scene for yourself. I felt the same way at Bamburgh. I felt that I
could make up my own story about each of the rooms and feel very much at home J

I am hosting a fabulous Giveaway to celebrate my blog's four year anniversary. So make sure you enter. You can win a 50 dollar gift card to shop at Pottery Barn, World Market or Pier 1 Imports!!

 

A few pictures I took of the interiors of the Castle!

The exterior of the castle. I scanned this image from a card I bought at the castle store!

Images: My Dream Canvas. Taken by me and Subject to Copyright.



Joining the Party at Homemaker On A Dime.

Win a Giftcard to Pottery Barn, World Market or Pier 1 Imports

Happy Birthday My Dream Canvas!

It is that time of the year again. I am all set to celebrate my blog's fourth birthday :) A Birthday also means a Giveaway. This time the giveaway is extra special. You get to pick what you want :)  I am giving away a gift card valued at $50. The best part is that you get to pick which store you want it from!!  You can choose between Pottery Barn, Cost Plus World Market or Pier 1 Imports. Yay!!!! Once the winner is declared using random.org, the lucky person gets to chose the store you want the gift card from!  



A Few Simple Rules : You have three chances to enter.



For the
First entry - Follow MDC via Google Friend Connect and Join my Facebook page. Please leave me a comment and
let me know. Simply leave me a comment if you are
already following.



For the Second Entry
: Spread the word about this Giveaway on your blog or via
Facebook.



For the Third Entry :
Tweet about this Giveaway.



Lets have fun
:) This Giveaway is open to readers in the United States. Feel free to
enter if you don't live here. You can always enter on behalf of your family and
friends living here :) Update The Giveaway has been extended till April 8th 
2013.



Have fun shopping! Use the card for your spring makeover or pick up the things you have been eyeing for a while :) Good luck!!!

Image: via

 

Joining the party at Homemaker On A Dime!

Joining the Aloha Friday Blog Hop At What Jean Likes

A Chic Salon

I spotted this salon and this lovely table in El Mueble. Its pretty perfect don't you think? Pink and Grey is a classic color palette. You can never go wrong with it. I love how soft and feminine everything looks!

A great place to lounge, write ones memoirs and then sit down comfortably for a cup of tea!

Images: via

Humorous Vintage Coasters

A Happy New Week to you!! I got off a plane last Sunday and fell sick. I have had a nasty bout of the flu and now so does my four year old. Its been a week of the house being in a state of complete disarray. A lot of TV watching, sleeping and take-out food. I am ready for a change but this nasty bug refuses to go away. The few hours that I feel sane I spend right here :) Blogging relaxes me like nothing else!





Trips are all about new places and new memories. While I did not shop a lot in the UK, I did pick up a few delightful things!! These vintage coasters to name a few. Aren't they lovely :) I got them on a whirlwind day trip to Bath.



I believe that souvenirs from trips need not be expensive. However, they should make you smile and remind you of the fun times gone by!! What are some of the fun souvenirs you have picked up during your travels? I would love to know :)



Have a great week!!

Images: My Dream Canvas

A Beach House, Some Tea and a Biscuit Tin :)

This would be the perfect way to spend a weekend. This is the kind of beach cottage that dreams are made of :)

 

 

Some cookies and tea to go with the setting. My latest acquisition from my trip to the UK! I love the wide variety of biscuit/cookie tins you get there!



Have a wonderful Weekend!!!

Image 1: via, Image 2 : My Home